The rise of voice search technology has transformed how we interact with our devices, but it has also opened new avenues for scammers to target businesses.
Small business owners are increasingly receiving deceptive calls claiming their business isn’t properly registered for voice search platforms like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.
These fraudulent calls often create a false sense of urgency, threatening that your business will lose visibility if you don’t pay for their “registration” services.
Understanding how voice search works is crucial for protecting your business from these sophisticated scams.
Key Takeaways
- Identify deceptive calls related to voice search platforms.
- Understand the legitimate ways voice search works.
- Learn practical strategies to protect your business.
- Recognize the false sense of urgency created by scammers.
- Avoid falling victim to unnecessary services or fees.
Understanding Voice Search Spam Calls
As voice search technology becomes increasingly prevalent, businesses are facing a new threat: voice search spam calls. These calls are part of a larger scam that targets businesses by falsely claiming they need to be “registered” for voice search platforms.
What Are Voice Search Spam Calls?
Voice search spam calls are unsolicited communications where scammers claim that a business needs to be registered for voice search platforms like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant to remain visible. This is a false claim, as voice assistants pull information from existing business listings.
Some key characteristics of these calls include:
- Creating a false sense of urgency by claiming a business is “unlisted” or “unverified”
- Targeting businesses of all sizes, with a focus on small business owners
- Scammers posing as representatives from legitimate companies like Google or Amazon
Why These Scams Are Increasing
The rise in voice search spam calls directly correlates with the increasing popularity of voice search technology. Scammers exploit business owners’ fear of missing out on potential customers.
| Reasons for Increase | Description |
|---|---|
| Growing Voice Search Popularity | More businesses are using voice search, making it a lucrative target for scammers. |
| Lack of Awareness | Many business owners are not familiar with how voice search works, making them vulnerable to scams. |
| Scammers’ Tactics | Scammers use convincing tactics, such as posing as representatives from well-known companies. |
Understanding the mechanisms behind voice search and being aware of these scams can help businesses protect themselves.
How to Identify Voice Search Spam Calls
Identifying voice search spam calls is crucial for protecting your business from potential scams. Scammers often use sophisticated tactics to trick business owners into divulging sensitive information or paying for unnecessary services.
Common Tactics and Scripts Used by Scammers
Scammers typically use robocalls with pre-recorded messages that create a false sense of urgency about your business listing status. Common scripts include phrases like “Your business isn’t showing up on Alexa” or “You need to register for voice search immediately.” These scammers often impersonate representatives from legitimate companies like Google, Apple, or Amazon to establish credibility.
For instance, a scammer might say, “Hello and please don’t hang up. We tried to contact you numerous times about your Google business listing. Our records show your Google business listing may be suspended or not verified through Google.” This script is designed to alarm the business owner into taking immediate action without verifying the authenticity of the call.
Red Flags to Watch For
There are several red flags to watch out for when identifying voice search spam calls. These include requests for immediate payment, threats about your business being “unlisted,” pressure tactics, and vague explanations about the services they provide. Legitimate companies will never ask for remote access to your computer or demand payment over the phone for services related to voice search registration.
| Red Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| Request for Immediate Payment | Scammers often demand immediate payment for their services, claiming it’s a limited-time offer. |
| Threats of Being “Unlisted” | Scammers may threaten that your business will be unlisted or suspended if you don’t comply with their demands. |
| Pressure Tactics | Using high-pressure sales tactics to convince you to make a decision quickly. |
Why Legitimate Voice Search Registration Doesn’t Work How Scammers Claim
Legitimate voice search functionality doesn’t rely on the ‘registration’ services that scammers promote. Instead, voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant pull business information from existing legitimate business listings and directories.
How Voice Assistants Actually Find Business Information
Voice assistants don’t require special “registration” as scammers claim. Your Google Business Profile is the primary source for Google Assistant, while Apple’s Siri pulls information from Apple Maps. To ensure your business appears in voice search results, maintain accurate and consistent information across all major business listings and directories.
- Google Assistant uses Google Business Profile as its primary source.
- Apple’s Siri relies on Apple Maps for business information.
- Amazon’s Alexa uses a combination of sources, including Yelp and its own database.
Google’s New Policies to Protect Businesses
Google has implemented new policies to protect businesses from voice search scams. These include stricter verification processes and limitations on third-party profile management. Google now prohibits the creation of duplicate or inaccurate business profiles, a common tactic used by scammers.
- Prohibition of third-party management: Prevents unauthorized parties from managing Google Business Profiles.
- Restrictions on review solicitation: Limits how businesses can solicit reviews, reducing spam.
- Crackdown on location spam: Ensures business locations are accurate and not misleading.
By understanding how voice search works and Google’s new policies, businesses can better protect themselves from scams and ensure their information is accurately represented in voice search results.
Protecting Your Business from Voice Search Scams
Protecting your business from voice search scams requires a combination of awareness, technology, and best practices. To start, it’s crucial toclaim and verify your Google Business Profile, giving you control over your business information in search results and voice search responses. This simple step can significantly reduce the risk of your business being misrepresented in voice search results.
When dealing with customer service or support calls, be cautious andalways verify the authenticity of the caller. Never provide payment information to unsolicited callers claiming to offer voice search registration services, as legitimate voice search optimization doesn’t require special fees or one-time payments. If you receive suspicious calls, don’t press any numbers to “speak to a representative” or to be “removed from the list,” as this can lead to more scam calls.
To further protect your business, consider implementingcall blocking technologyto reduce robocalls and spam calls. Registering your business phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry can also help minimize unwanted calls. Educating your staff about these scams is vital so they can recognize and handle suspicious calls properly.
By following theseprotective measures and tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to voice search scams. Maintaining consistent and accurate business information across all platforms is key to ensuring your business appears correctly in voice search results without falling prey to unnecessary “registration” services.